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By Viwe Ndongeni-Ntlebi 
4h ago
As concerns about the new coronavirus grow, health department statistics on influenza cases in South Africa show that up to 11,000 people die from the virus each year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that annual flu epidemics worldwide cause up to five million cases of serious illness and around 290,000 to 650,000 deaths.
The flu kills 6,000 to 11,000 South Africans each year, according to the National Department of Health. About 50 percent of those deaths are among the elderly, and about 30 percent in people infected with HIV.
Dr. Sivuyile Madikana says, “Some of the symptoms and signs of the flu can be similar and overlap with Covid-19 and make it hard for people and healthcare workers to tell the difference. It’s important to get a flu shot this season. ”
He adds that getting a flu shot will protect people from the various forms of the flu virus this season. The vaccine can prevent or mitigate the severity of the flu, but more importantly, it will help simplify the patient evaluation process, helping to differentiate them from those with a more serious condition.
Lee Callakoppen
, Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund, gives five facts about the flu:
1. Flu strains, like fashion, change every year
Flu strains have a built-in survival mechanism, they mutate or change, thereby circumventing the body’s immune response. That’s why flu vaccines are updated every year, which means that last year won’t necessarily protect you this year.
2. Flu symptoms?
These include high temperatures, body pain, sore throat, tiredness, loss of appetite and they are the same year after year. However, some strains of the flu can make symptoms last longer and are more severe. The flu can also cause headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. In people with weaker immune systems, the flu is even more severe.
3. The Flu Vaccine Doesn’t Give You the Flu
According to the Center for Disease Control, a flu shot cannot cause the flu, and severe allergic reactions to the flu shot are rare. However, if you are allergic to eggs, you should notify your doctor.
Flu vaccines are currently made with flu vaccine viruses that have been “inactivated” and are not infectious or do not have flu viruses. The most common side effects of the injection are small amounts of pain, redness, tenderness, or swelling around the injection site.
4. Protect yourself and your family
The flu shot reduces your chances of getting the flu and, if you do get it, it will be milder. The vaccine trains your body to recognize and fight the flu. More importantly, if you are vaccinated, you will protect others, through what is called “collective immunity.” This includes vulnerable family members, such as young babies and the elderly, as well as those who are immunocompromised.
5. Some of the reasons why people do not vaccinate
There are a number of reasons, including the notion that “I don’t have the flu,” “the vaccine doesn’t work,” “my arm is going to hurt,” or “the vaccine is going to give me the flu.” However, there are very good clinical reasons why you should.
You can get your flu shots at Clicks, Dischem, or Pick n Pay pharmacies during closing.
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